Connecting with nature....for health.

There is a long history and evidence base that the natural environment is important for

positively to individual human health and well-being (Hinds & Jordan, 2016). It is widely recognised that connecting with nature has immense benefits on mental health through the ability to evoke positive emotions and build resilience, concentration skills and critical thinking. Experiencing nature from within also has the capacity to positively affect your physical and cardiovascular health through enticing physical activity.

In order assist us to truly connect with nature, the University of Derby Nature Connectedness Research Group has simplified the evidence base to 5 Pathways to Nature Connectedness.

So how can you establish your connectedness to nature?

Establish a Sit-Spot.

A Sit-Spot is a place in nature where you feel safe. It could be your front or back yard. it could be a local park or your favourite childhood tree. Essentially, it is place where you can sit, undisturbed, and observe the wonders of nature from your vantage point.

What do I do when i've found one?

Practice the 5 Pathways to Nature Connectedness.

The Senses.

Sight. What can you see?

• It might be the colours of flowers, foliage or fruit.

• It could be a bee collecting pollen or an earthworm turning soil.

• Is it a sunrise or sunset?

Smell. What can you smell?

• It could be the flowers.

• It could be the rain.

Touch. What can you feel?

• Is it the grass underneath your feet?

• Is it the bark in your tree?

• Is it the sand underneath your palms?

Taste. What can you taste?

• Do you have fruit in your sit-spot?

Hearing. What can you hear?

• Can you hear the wind blowing through the trees?

• Can you hear bees buzzing or magpies warbling?

• Can you hear Kookaburras in the trees?

Emotion.

• What do you feel in your Sit-Spot.

• Relaxed, happy, energized, alive, something else?

Beauty.

What is beautiful in your location?

• Is it the colours of flowers?

• Is it a pattern made by a succulent?

Meaning.

How do we make sense of nature? What signs and symbolisms do we attribute to natural elements?

• We give roses to symbolise love.

• We blow dandelions and make a wish symbolising hope.

• Birds collecting twigs to build nests symbolise new lif

Compassion.

What can you do to take care of nature?

• Can you use less pesticides in your garden?

• Could you recycle more (and correctly?

• Could you support animal welfare?

• Could you plant some trees?

Practice your pathways to nature connectedness by spending 10 minutes, 3x per week in your Sit-Spot. Reflect on new information gained from your e